WAPELLA — Rita F. Brown, 82, of Wapella, passed away at 10:20 p.m. on December 22, 2021, at Riverside Hospital, Kankakee, Ill.

Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at the Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, with Ernie Harvey, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Maroa Cemetery, Maroa. Visitation will be held from 9–11 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to the American Red Cross or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Rita was born on September 5, 1939, in Hawesville, Ky., the daughter of Malcolm and Senada (Rice) Ogle. She married Leslie Johnson, Jr. on February 11, 1956. He passed away on August 19, 1980. She later married Lawrence W. “Larry” Brown on February 4, 1983, in WaynesvilleL. He passed away on June 28, 2006.

Survivors include her children,  Karen (Randy) Swanlund, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.; Leslie Ann (Harold) Whitecotton, Piper City, Ill.; Rick (Denise) Johnson, Kenney; Bobbi Johnson Seaman, Kenney; and Scott (Lyricia) Johnson, North Wilkesboro, N.C.; 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.  One sister, Janet Taylor, Maroa, and one brother, Mike Craft, Hawesville, Ky. also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, June Thiery and Carol Ballard.

Rita was active in her church throughout her life.  She worked at General Electric, in Bloomington, until her retirement.  Rita enjoyed BINGO, Bible study, shopping, garage sales, but most of all, she loved spending time with her family.

Rita was a very kind and generous person who never met a stranger.

Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com